Locomotive coupler



May 21, 1946. H. H. WOLFE LOCOMOTIVE COUPLER 4 Sheets-Shegt 1 I Filed March 16, 1944 May 21, 1946.

H. H. WOLFE LOCOMOTIVE COUPLER Filed March 16, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 0 w 4: w r C |Il| 3 if If 2 a W74 W 9 H O 2 1 9 y Y\ NW y H a w 4 6 I 3 .JJIJ i w w 5 r p May 21, 1946. H. H. WOLFE LQCOMOTIVE COUPLER Filed March 16, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. H. WOLFE 2,400,584

' LOCOMOTIVE COUPLER 1 Filed March 16, 1944 4 Sheets-$heet 4 AYQ,

' May 21, 1946.

Patented May 21, 1946 LGCOHIOTIVE COUPLER Harry H. Wolfe, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Buckeye Steel Castings Company, Columbus,

01bit) Application March 16, 1944, Serial No. 526,762

22 Glaims.

This invention relates to improvements in retract-able couplers for use at an end of a Diesel or steam locomotive.

A retractable coupler combined with a pilot provides a stream line front end for a locomotive and also serves as a safety feature, as a protruding coupler tends to contribute to locomotive derailment when a vehicle is struck at a grade crossing. A protruding coupler tends to pierce and hold the vehicle over the tracks, making it possible for it to roll under the locomotive and cause a derailment; On the other hand, if a retractable coupler is combined with a smooth sloping front end of a locomotivathe construction will tend to lift the vehicle and throw it to one side,

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide:

1. A. retract-able coupler and pilot door arranged for the application of the draft gear or resilient means to cushion the impact during coupling and running conditions.

2. A pilot door arranged to provide a smooth pilot front when the coupler is retracted and partially closing the pilot door opening when the coupler is in operating position.

3. A pilot door which can be readily assembled as a unit or in which the coupler, yoke, and draft gear can be applied or removed Without removing the pilot door.

4. A coupler operating mechanism which is always in position to operate thecoupler when the coupler is in the forward or coupling position.

5. A pilot door so mounted in the pilot that a certain or predetermined amount of adjustment can be made so as to align the pilot door with the pilot.

6. A simple positive latching arrangement which will remain locked when the door is in either the operating or closed position and which will remain unlocked while the pilot door is being rotated from closed to operating position or vice versa.

7. A retractable coupler and pilot door so constructed and arranged as to balance in a pocket of the pilot to facilitate easy movement of the coupler from coupling position to retracted position and vice versa. I

The invention will be more easily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the'invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a locomotive pilot partly in horizontal sectionv and illustrating my improved coupler and pilot door associated therewith.

Fig. 21s a fragmentary View of the same partl in vertical section and partly in elevation,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation.

Fig. 4 is an end View of the coupler door cas Fig. 5 is a side elevation with the pilot door closed and a portion of the coupler shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a detail taken on the line 65 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View of a detail taken on the line 'l'l of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 8 designates a pilot having a sloping front 9 and anti-climbing projection Hi cast integral and forming the upper part of a door opening ll. ranged at the front of a pocket or cavity l2 provided with a floor l3, ceiling I l, and a back wall It. As may be seen from Figs. 1 and 3, the cavity extends in opposite directions for a considerable distance at each side of the longitudinal center line of the locomotive.

A bottom pivot casting 16, arranged in the pocket, is provided with an upwardly extending trunnion H and is detachably secured to the floor by means of bolts is or the like. A top pivot casting I9 is bolted to the ceiling as indicated at 20 and provided with a downwardly extending trunnion 2!. The trunnions are received respectively in bottom and top cavities 22 and 23 of a combined door and coupler supporting casting 25, and a filler 25 is preferably arranged in the cavity 23 below the trunnion 2 I.

Casting 24, as best shown in Fig. 1, is substantiall oval-shaped in plan View, provided at one side with an unbroken sloping Wall 26 shaped to close the doorway ll when the coupler is in retracted position. At this point, it will be noted that the axes ofthe trunnions I? and 2| are at the middle of the casting 24 so that the wings of the casting extending in opposite directions therefrom, function to balance the structure and render it readily movable from one position to another.

The opposite sloping wall 2'! of the casting is recessed at its medial portion, as indicated at 28,

to accommodate a. forwardly projecting socket 29 of a vertical yoke 36. A coupler 3| has its butt extendinginto the socket and abutting the yoke along an arcuate surface 32, struck from the axis of a pin 33 which pivotally connects the butt of the coupler to the front end portionof the yoke. The coupler and yoke are removable from the Such opening is an casting 24 and are normally held in place by the following means: Rear draft lugs 36 (Fig. 1) and front draft lugs 35, integral with the casting 24, form abutments respectively for a rear follower 36 and a front follower 31, the movements of which are also restricted by internal projections 38 of removable vertical plates 39 secured to the casting 24 by bolts 40. From Fig. 1, it will be noted that there is one of these plates at each side of the yoke 30 and that th draft gear 4! is positioned between the follower 36 and 31. When the plates 39 are removed, the followers and draft gear may :be readily removed and to facilitate such operation, the casting 24 is provided with openings or windows 42 and 43. i

From the foregoing, it'will be understood that when the coupler is in coupling position, as in Fig. 1, and pull is exerted on the coupler, the yoke 39 will move the follower 36 and compress the springs of the draft gear during pull. On the otherhan'd, during buff, the yoke will move the follower 31 toward the projection 38 and com-- press the. springs'of the draft gear.

In order to hold the casting 24 in either of its two positions, locking means are provided at 7 the opposite ends thereof. Such locking means may consist of eyes 44 and 45 integral with the casting and serving as guides for a sliding bolt 46, the outer end of which is designed to enter a socket or keeper 41 integral with the pilot casting. The bolt is provided at its medial portion, between the eyes, with anupwardly extending projection-48 provided with a substantially vertical slot 4 9' for the reception of the crank end 50 of a handle which projects through a wall of the casting 24. A coil spring 52 has one of its ends connected to the crank and its other end anchored to a lug 53 within the casting 24 for holding the bolt in either locking or retracted position. In Fig; 3, the bolt is shown in looking position, and it may be seen if the handle 5| is turned in a counter clockwise direction, the crank 50 will travel in the slot 49, and the bolt 48 will be moved toward th left or into retracted position. In such position, the spring 52 will continue to act on thecrank and hold the bolt in retracted position. v

The coupler operating mechanism consists of the usual lever 54 and toggle 55, furnished with the coupler for operation of the coupler look (not shown). In accordance with the'present invention a bail 55 has its end portions pivotally secured to eyes 51 formed at the bottom of the front of the yoke, and the, bar 58 of the bail is arcuate and extends. through a slot 59 of the lever 54. Thearc of the bar is struck from the center of the pivot pin 33 so that the lever 54 will be operated in the various positions of the coupler, whenever the bail is actuated. For this purpose, the bail is preferably provided at each end thereof with a rigidly connected arm 60, each armrb'eing adapted to be actuated by means about to be described, but only, one of which is'fully illustrated. The crank 6| of a rock shaft 62 pivotally mounted on the floor I3, extends beneath one of the projections 63, whereby, if the crank is moved in a, counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2), the ball will be lifted and the lever 54 actuated. The rock shaft has a depending, fixed arm 63, pivotally connectedto a link 34 which, in turn, is pivotally connected to the depending arm 55 of second rock shaftfifi. The latter is ,pivotally connected tothe bottom of the floor l3 and extends outwardly into the. position shown in Fig. 5, where it terminates in a handle 61 at the exterior of one side of the pilot where it may be readily actuated by one of the train crew. It will be evident that a handle may be arranged at each side of the pilot to facilitate operation of the coupler lock from either side of motive.

It will be obvious, as there is no direct connection between the crank 6| and the arms Bil, that the casting 24 may be swung from coupling the locoposition to retracted position or vice versa, without interference by the crank BI and the means employed in operating it.

It W111 be understood that the door structure and coupler may be removed as a unit after the bolts 18 and 20 are detached.

For lubricating purposes, a pocket 68 in the door casting may receive oil-soaked waste 63 from which oil may travel through holes 79 in the casting to the lower trunnion H. To the same end, the rim H of the recess 23 may be'notched as indicated at 72 for the introduction of oil into the cavity.

In certain cases, the draft gear and yoke may tion may bereadily understood by those skilled front of. the pilot, a door structure pivotally 1. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway openinginto the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially completely closing said doorway, and'at the opposite side thereof 'a similar wall for partially closing said doorway, said latter wall having a recess, and a retractable 'coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall.

2. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening. into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially completely closing said doorway, and at the opposite side thereof a recessed wall for partially closing said doorway,

said walls converging from the middle of the door structure to each end thereof, and a retractable coupler connected to the. door structure and 'extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall. 7 I

3. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket 'at the mounted in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially completely closing said doorway, and at the opposite side thereof a recessed wall for partially closing said doorway,

said walls converging from the bottom of the door structure to the top thereof, and warmerable coupler connected to the door structure and extending intothe recessof the last-mentioned wall. a r 7 V a Y 4. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket atrthe front of the pilot, a door structure pivetally mounted in the pocket and having at one side' thereof a wall for substantially completely closing said doorway, and at the opposite side thereof a recessed wall for partially closing said doorway, said walls converging from the middle of the door structure to each end thereof and also converging from the bottom of the door structure to the top thereof, and a retractable coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall.

5. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially completely closing said doorway, and at the opposite side thereof a recessed wall for partially closing said doorway, the ends of the door structure being arcs of a circle struck from the axis of the pivoted mounting of the door structure, and a retractable coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall.

6. A locomotive pilot having aninternal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis arranged at the middle thereof, said door structure having one side wall adapted to completely close said doorway and having at the opposite side thereof a similar wall for partially closing said doorway, said latter wall having a recess and a coupler pivotally connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall.

7. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, and a door structure ivotally mounted at its middle in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially closing said doorway, said door structure also having a similar wall at the opposite side thereof for partially closing said doorway, the last-mentioned wall having a recess a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall, and draft gear arranged at the middle portion of the door structure and operatively connected to the coupler.

8. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, and a door structure pivotally mounted at its middle in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially closing said doorway, said door structure also having a similar wall at the opposite side thereof for partially closing said doorway, the last-mentioned wall having a recess a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last-mentioned wall, and draft gear arranged at the middle portion of the door structure and operatively connected to the coupler, said draft gear including shock absorbing springs.

9. In a structure of the character described, an elongated door member provided with a recess intermediate its ends, front and rear draft lugs fixed to the door structure at opposite sides of the recess, fixed abutment means spaced from said front and rear draft lugs, followers extending across the recess and movable back and forth between said draft lugs and abutments, resilient means arranged between the followers and yieldingly forcing them away from one another, a yoke extending about the followers and springs, and a coupler pivotally connected to the yoke for movement about a vertical axis and projecting into said recess.

10. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally and removably mounted in the pocket and having at one side thereof a wall for substantially com- A pletely closing said doorway and at the opposite side thereof a similar wall for partially closing said doorway, the last mentioned wall having a recess and a coupler mounted on the door structure and extending into the recess of the lastmentioned wall.

11. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, said pocket having a floor and a ceiling, bearing members arranged in the pocket and detachably connected to said floor and cell ing, a door structure having top and bottom sockets pivotally receiving said bearing members for movement of the door structure about a vertical axis, said door structure being detachable as a unit with the bearing members from said pocket, and a coupler connected to the medial portion of the door structure and adapted to move with the latter from a retractable position from within the pocket to coupling position at the doorway of the pocket.

12. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted midway its ends in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, said door structure being provided atone side with an unbroken wall adapted to substantially completely close said doorway, and at the opposite side with a recessed Wall for partially closing said doorway, the recess of the last-mentioned wall being positioned midway the ends of the door structure, and a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into said recess.

13. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted midway its ends in the pocket for movemost about a vertical axis, said door structure being provided at one side with an unbroken wall adapted to substantially completely close said doorway, and at the opposite side with a recessed wall for partially closing said doorway, the recess of the last-mentioned wall being positioned midway the ends of the door structure, and a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into said recess, said coupler being so mounted that it may swing from side to side in the recess.

14. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted at its medial portion in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, a coupler pivotally mounted within the door structure for movement about a vertical axis, a bail pivotally mounted within and movable with the door structure for movement about a horizontal axis and having a bar struck from an arc having its center at the axis of the last-mentioned vertical pivot,

said coupler being provided with lock Operating means, a second means movable with the door structure and operatively connected to said lock operating'means, and manually controlled means including an element movably 'mounted inthe pocket and engageable with and disengageable from said second means for actuating the latter[ 16. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted at its medial portion in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, said door structure being substantially oval shape in top plan and provided with opposite sloping walls which diverge downwardly, one of said walls being so constructed and arranged as to substantially completely close said doorway and the opposite 'wall having a recess about midway between the ends thereof, a coupler pivotally connected to the medial portion of the door structure for movement about a vertical axis and extending into said way when the door structure is in one position,

said door structure being provided at the opposite side'thereof with a second wall conforming .in shape with the sloping wall ofthe pilot and adapted to. partially close said doorway whenthe door structure is in another position, the lastmentioned wall having a recess midway the ends thereof, and a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into said recess, said coupler being pivotally mountedfor movement from'sideto side within, the recess. a

- 20. Alocomotive pilot having an internal pocket i and a doorway opening into the pocket'at the recess, and manually operated means arranged at 7 17. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into thepocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted at its medial portion in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, a coupler pivotally connected to the medial portion of the door structure for movement about a vertical axis, and manually operated means arranged at an end of the door structure for locking the door structure to. the pilot at one end of the pocket,said means comprising a slidable bolt having a slot arranged substantially at right angles thereto, a handle rotatably mounted in the door structure and provided with a crank extending into said slot, and a spring connecting the crank to the door struc-- ture and arranged to hold the bolt in either looking position orretracted position.

18; A locomotive pilot having a sloping wall, an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket through said wall, a door structure pivotally mounted at its medial portion in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, said door structure having a wall at one side thereof conforming to the shape of the sloping wall of the pilot and adapted to substantially close said doorway when the door structure is in one position, said door structure being provided at the opposite side thereof with a second wall conforming in "thereof, and a coupler connected to the door structure and extending into said recess.

front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted in said pocket for movement about a vertical axis and having spaced draft lugs. integral with the door structure, a yoke in the door structure, resilient means positioned between said draft lugs for cushioning. movement of the yoke in opposite directions, means detachably mounting the yoke and resilient means within the door structure,'and a coupler connected to the yoke.

21. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the' pilot, a door structure pivotally' mounted in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, followers arranged in the door struc-' ture, resilient means arranged between the 'followers, abutment means for the followers including plates detachably connected to the door structure andpermitting removal of the followers and eratively connected to the yoke and projecting from one face of the door structure.

22. A locomotive pilot having an internal pocket,

and a doorway opening into the pocket at the front of the pilot, a door structure pivotally mounted at its medial portion in the pocket for movement about a vertical axis, said door structure being substantially oval shape in top plan and having opposite sloping walls which diverge downwardly, one of said walls being constructed and arranged to substantially completely close,

said doorway and the other wall having arecess arranged substantially midway betweenthe ends thereof, and a retractable coupler connected to the door structure and extending into the recess of the last mentioned wall.

HARRY H. WOLFE. 

